Durham Light Infantry, 2nd/8th Battalion
Territorial Force battalion
Before the First World War began in August 1914, the Durham Light Infantry, County Durham’s own infantry regiment, was made up of nine battalions each of about 1,000 men. There were two Regular battalions of full-time professional soldiers, many of whom came from outside the North East of England; two Reserve battalions of part-time volunteers and ex-Regular soldiers; and five Territorial Force battalions of part-time volunteers centred on key County towns. There was also a Depot or headquarters shared with the Northumberland Fusiliers at Fenham Barracks in Newcastle upon Tyne.
By the end of the war in November 1918, the DLI had grown to 43 battalions, as new Reserve, Service, Territorial, Young Soldier, and other battalions were formed. Of these 43 battalions, 22 served in war zones from the Western Front to the North West Frontier of India.
——————–
As soon as the First World War began, so many recruits went to drill halls across County Durham to join the DLI’s Territorial battalions that second line battalions were soon possible. In October, the 2nd/8th Battalion DLI was formed in Durham City, and, over the winter, the first and second line battalions exchanged men, as the 1st/8th Battalion weeded out those soldiers less fit for active service overseas.
On 1 February 1915, the 2nd/8th Battalion left Durham City for Seaham Harbour and coastal defence duties. When the Northumbrian Division was sent to France in April 1915, the role of the second line Territorial battalions was reviewed and it was decided to create a new reserve third line battalion from men, who were only fit for home service. Thus, in June 1915, the 3rd/8th Battalion was formed out of the 2nd/8th Battalion.
After moves to Felling in May 1915, then to Doncaster, Catterick, Basingstoke, and Colchester, the 2nd/8th Battalion was disbanded in 1917 and its soldiers dispersed to other units. Alone of Durham’s second line Territorial battalions, the 2nd/8th Battalion saw no overseas service during the First World War.
Contributed by Durham County Record Office
